Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-10-22
THE PRESIDENTIAL TOUR.
VISITOR TO THE FAMOUS BELLE
MEADE FARM

tance of Uncle Bob Harding. Every stock
man in the land knows s'Uncle Bob the
colored major-demo Of the Bell Meade stock
farm and one of the chief authorities on
blooded stock in the world It was intend
ded that the day should be for the Pres
ident one of restful quiet, and so it was
| President and Mrs Cleveland could not re-
sist the temptation, however, to stroll over
the great breeding farm, and so accompanied
by their host, Gen. jackson, they sauntered
out, and, of course, Uncle Bob was in the
way. 1t was great day for the old man
'Imet him very courteously,r tmeaning
seriously said Uncle Bob to one of the Pres
ident's party later in the day. stJust think,
Oh, Lordy, that l should live sixty three
years and then see President
"Why, Bob, is he the first President YOU
ever met.
ooh, no, seed Ginral jackson and Mr..
Polk, but he is the fust one ever got in my
hand. He's fine gentleman. Very much
so.n
Bob was much inclined to give remisincen-
ces of the stables, and he branched of into
talk about Luke Blackburn Arefersnce to
Mrs Cleveland recalled him, and he said of
her: ''Oh, she do beat 'em all, and she Ger
tainly do know a good hoss"
Passing the stables the distinguished trio
sauntered cut into the deer park and sud-
denly, as they stood upon the knoll taking
in the enchanting beauty of the scene,
drove gilmore than two hundred deer came
bounding past. Splendid large fellows they
were scampering as if for life and hardly
touching the ground. This again was Uncle
Bob's work. As soon as the visitors entered
the park he had the deer corrolled in corner
and then drove them past in review
Belle Meade farm is owned in common by
the jackson brothers, who married two sis
ters, Misses Harding, daughters of the foun-
der of the establishment The Belle Meede
mansion, the present resting place of. the
President, is typical Southern home of the
highest class. 1t is a very substantial two
story brick structure of ample proportions,
but built without much ilagree or ornamen-
tation.
The ladies Of the white house. After lunch
the President and Mrs Cleveland, escorted by
Gen jackson, drove into Nashville to pay
their respects to Mrs. Polk At the request
of the visitors the affair was made as infor-
NAL as possible, it being designed merely as
an interchange of courtisies between the lady
of the White House of forty years ago and
the lady of to-day.
There were present by invitation of Mrs
Polk: Governor Taylor, Senator Vim. B.
ate, Ex Governor James d. Porter, Major
J. F. Thomas and several other gentlemen of
prominence of this city and vicinity.
The stately Polk mansion was surrounded
by great crowd of people Of all social
grades, all ags and both sexs, gathered to
see the President and Mrs. Cleveland
The visitors were received at the Church
street entrance, Governor Taylor offering
his arm to the President, and Mrs Cleveland
taking that of Mr.. George W. Fall, and
entered the spacious parlor, where Mrs Polk
stood awaiting them Governor Taylor pre-
sented the President to Mrs Polk The lat
ter extended her hand and said:
''Mr President, / am indeed delighted to
meet you
''And to meet you, Mrs Polk" replied the
President / have looked forward to this
visit with most pleasant anticipation
Mrs Cleveland was presented, and the two
ladies conversed cordially a few minutes.
The other gentlemen present were then
presented to the President and Mrs Cleve-
land, after which the conversation become
general, the President devoting himself al
most constantly during the brief remainder
of his stay to Mrs Polk. He expressed a fear
that the crowds of tomorrow might be an
noying to her.
'No, it pleases me-" replied the courtly
dame, ''to see my people tender such an Ova
tion to President Cleveland
Then the two turned their conversation to
the White House and Washington The lady
dent a willing informant.
Prettier than a picture Mrs Cleveland
was the object of marked attention from all
the gentlemen present, proving herself a
captivating listener and charming converse
tionalist.
One Of those present was an old Irishman,
gentleman of wealth and culture who was in
trOduced by Governor fOrter. MIS- cleveland
expressed her delight at making the acquain-
tance Of a friend Of Governor Porter. The
gentlemanis eyestwinkled as he looked at
her for moment. madame" said he, there
is but one remark wish to make you are
purifier than your pictures
Mrs Polk pr sented Mrs Cleveland a bou-
a ret Of Marechal roses in the name Of her
grand niece, Mrs Sadie Fall. who, she said.
sailed yesterday from Liverpool for America
She then invited the party to refreshments.
at which each guest was served with
a glass Of sherry seventy-five years old.
The guests, after visiting the tomb Of
President Polk in the grounds adjoining the
mansion, returned to Bell Meade.
Mrs Villas is quite exhausted by the IA
tigues and excitement Of the journey from
Madison, and has been confined TO her room
nearly all all day. II is reported tonight as
doubtful whether she viii be able to procede
10 morrow.